Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-01-10
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

The inaugural address of Governor
Bartlett is laid before our readers this
morning. 1t is not the brief and original
draft which some of our contemporaries
were so indiscreet as to send to press some
days ago and prior to the Inauguration,
but quite different and much more ex-
tended document. The address is neither
a great nor weak paper. The few topics
upon which it treats are handled without
ambiguity, and fairly represent the better
public sentiment. The promises made are
such as were to have been expected of a
newly installed Executive, entertaining a
desire to make his administration Of the
State Government economic, and conserva-
tive Of the best interests of the people.
The document will not make a deep
impression, nor will it fall without effect
upon the public, which will see in it dis
position to economic, to limit State ex-
penses, lessen the burdens of taxation,
and prevent waste of time and money in
extended legislative sessions. The irriga-
ton question is dismissed without sug-
gestion of plans for its settlement. The
anti-Chinese sentiment is given a word of
approval, and the hope expressed that the
Federal Government will afford California
relief from the incursion of Mongo-
lians The Legislature is asked to memo
rialize Congress to strengthen and aug
nent our harbor defenses.
He advises that the National Guard
be given generous support, since it
is so necessary to the maintenance of order
and the enforcement of respect for the laws
by the turbulent elements of society, re-
cent importations of which into the coun-
try are inclined to resort to diabolical
methods to express contempt for our insti-
tutions
He takes especial pains to direct atten-
ton to the States system of common
schools, and the need for developing the
mechanical and artistic faculties, as we'll
as the intellectual The Froebel method of
training for the child is warmly com
mended, and the advice given that Nor
NAL School instruction be required,
with a view to fitting teachers for practi
cally introducing it into the primary
grades He is notably urgent in impress
ing upon the public thought the truth
tat the State in republic can do no bet
ter work than in literally educating its
youth and training them in such direc-
lions as will fit them for self-maintenance
and Independence He holds that cor
porate bodies should not be permitted
TO issue bonds until their entire capital
stock is paid up, and in that connection
wisely and strongly condemns the sale of
shares on margins or for future deliveries.
Contracts for such sales are declared illegal
by the Constitution, but are openly made
by incorporated stock boards. He urges
the adoption of regulative measures for
stock buying and selling, and the discour-
asement Of the gambling spirit Suspended
banks should be required to wind up their
business within given time; the suspend
ing and laying of electric wires should be
regulated by law, as without it the vast
number of wires stretched amounts to
public nuisance franchises for the use of
the streets Of cities by railway and other
corporations or persons, should be limited
to maximum of twenty-five years, and
no extensions granted until expiration of
the original term, or within one or two
years of it,
The Governor reflects the public thought
when he declares that the Legislature has
no time to waste in idle debates or useless
adjournments, and he gives fair warning
that he win not consider every failure
of the Legislature to do its duty as justify
ing a call for an extra session. but will
leave the responsibility for the laches to
rest upon the members, and TO be accounted
for to their constituencies. He concludes
with promise to discharge the duties of
his office upon business principles, and by
strongly urging the Legislature to memo
r,alize the national Government TO restore
General Stoneman to the retired list of the
army-a suggestion which the whole peo-
pie viii approve.
That some of the vital questions which
will come before the Legislature are not
considered by the Governor may be at
tributed either to his indisposition to pro-
ject them into an inaugural address, which
should have the merit of brevity, or to
non-determinat;on on the part Of the Ex-
'ecutive mind as to what exact policy
should be followed.
TuE eTATF ccuanr pnaYS